Detachment from Worldly Pleasures

75. He who is not indifferent to fame and pleasure, as well as to the love of riches that exists because of them and increases them, cannot cut off occasions for anger. And he who does not cut these off cannot attain perfect love.

St. Maximus the Confessor Four Hundred Centuries on Love: #75

Maximus the Confessor teaches that indifference to fame, pleasure, and riches is essential for cutting off occasions for anger and attaining perfect love. These worldly attachments fuel our passions and distract us from the pursuit of divine love.

Imagine a bird soaring freely in the sky, unencumbered by the weight of the earth below. To attain perfect love, we must shed the burdens of worldly desires and rise above them, allowing our souls to soar towards God.

Detachment from worldly pleasures involves recognizing their transient nature and seeking fulfillment in the eternal. By practicing humility and self-control, we detach ourselves from these temporal pleasures and focus on the eternal joy of union with God. This shift in focus allows us to experience a deeper, more lasting peace and contentment.

By letting go of our attachment to worldly pleasures, we free ourselves to experience the fullness of God’s love. This detachment enables us to cultivate a heart that is open to the divine, allowing God’s love to flow freely through us and into the world around us.